Project Euler Forum

Hi,
this problem seems very simple but my solution is not correct.
I surely missed something... but I can't figure out what.
And there is only one very trivial example.
Is it too much to ask to have other examples with slightly larger values (as in many other problems) ?
Thanks

The opening post should link to the problem: Problem 826 (View Problem)

Anyways, I think the problem is rather clear as stated. The only possible confusion might be that a piece of wire that is painted twice is still only counted once towards the total.

Now since your solution is not correct maybe it's not so simple? Either way, I'd recommend double checking with monte carlo first instead of asking for partial results here.

Thank you neverforget, and sorry for the opening.
Monte Carlo is exactly what I used to confirm my intuition about what looks like the average of many many experiences of landing birds (that's why I thought the problem is simple).
I also computed my result with very large floating point numbers in order to avoid any rounding issue.
I just think that 3 is the most ambiguous example: only 1 odd prime + the painted part is the same as the un-painted.
But I get the message: understanding the problem is already a part of it... (but I'm still stuck)

Hi,

You may probably miss the ‘to its closest neighbour’ part. Suppose that 5 birds are on the wire at positions .01, .02, ,03, .90, and .91, the portions painted will be from .01 to .03 and from .90 to .91